"Slime from snails helps remove old cells, heal the skin after sun burn and moisturize it," said Manami Takamura, a spokeswoman for Tokyo-based beauty salon Ci:z.Labo, as she placed three gastropods on a woman's face.

"In this way, you can have 100 percent pure snail essence directly on the skin."

Snail slime is believed to have an anti-aging effect on human skin, and some cosmetics are already sold with essence of escargot.